Robbie
& Bridget -
Organisers Extraodrinaire
NZ Fashion Show in New York
24 July 2002
My adventures with the modelling talent scout turned out to be less rather than more exciting. My character teeth didn't let me down, (bless them) but I wasn't prepared to pay x amount of dollars for exposure on their website. Not when I've got my own thank you very much! www.romiley.co.nz
It was a funny experience, particularly in the waiting room of the agency. A very flamboyant man came in and asked for all the models to come through please. I realised at the last minute as he disappeared down the corridor, that I came under the category of model, as far as he was concerned and dashed off after him. (I'd never been addressed as a model before so my brain wasn't quite connecting the dots). They very enthusiastically tried to sell me the idea of joining their agency.
Hmmm. It was then that I decided if I wanted to pursue this modelling caper I would be better off going to the big players direct. I'm yet to hear from Elite and Ford…however to be fair I haven't called them either. I did get to see some models from Elite in action recently though in the NZ > NY Fashion Show. Catwalk model I am not but I bet they didn't have character teeth!
I had the opportunity to be one of the dressers (from model to model's dresser just like that huh!). Bridget and Robbie who were the Event Co-Coordinators, Producers and general brainwave behind the project were drawing on every resource available to them, me being one of them. What would you do without your mates aye? The event was the first of its kind in New York. A fashion show of New Zealand designers giving New York a taste of what we can do DownUnder.
Great exposure for our designers! I love it when I am asked, 'where did you get such and such from' and I can say 'New Zealand'. Not that I'm a fashion guru. I know what I like, have an idea of what suits me and one day (preferably sooner rather than later) would love to have a bottomless pit budget with a stylist thrown in! Unfortunately for me I am not one of those clever shoppers who never spend more than $5 on an item of clothing and can make it look like it is straight of a designer's rack!
If you are going to put on a fashion show in New York where else to hold it but a funky nightclub in lower Manhattan right? Complete with huge doorman who looks intimidating and doesn't speak, (haven't figured out if that's a choice thing or not) and red carpet to make you feel very important.
I had acting classes till 8pm, so couldn't make it in time to help Bridget backstage (but found her a replacement instead) and turned up after class. I wasn't sure the doorman would let me in to begin with. I was laden down with numerous books and bags and wasn't exactly dressed for the part of someone about to attend a fashion show in New York.
Remember that Sesame
Street game, 'One of these things is not like the others'? That was me.
Comfy casual clothes, no makeup and two decent size bags hanging off my
right shoulder. (My handbag is a cross between a purse and a backpack.
It's a wonder I don't walk on a permanent lean to the right!)
The first thing I saw when I entered the club were Kapiti cheeses and
Montana wines being promoted. This was a real kiwi night! I am a bit partial
to the kikorangi blue myself so it was a real treat to have some in New
York. Especially washed down with a Montanachardonnay…heaven! I could
have stood there all night and had a good ole nosh up of the cheese and
smoked mussels but I managed to restrain myself. Just! Besides, it was
only fair to leave some for others not familiar with New Zealand wares.
My Italian friend had never tried chilli-smoked mussels. Deprived!
There is something wonderfully freeing about being amongst other New Zealanders in New York. As much as I love the diversity here there aren't too many other countries that understand (without extensive explanation) that when you say, 'I'm taking the piss' you are not discussing your toiletry desires.
The venue was packed (250 odd people) and humming (and not the constant air conditioning hum you hear in this city!). You know when the atmosphere feels electric with anticipation? Bridget and Robbie had obviously done this many times before was my thought. Like any outstanding production it had the feel that you were in the hands of professionals who knew exactly what they were doing.
The show started, fashionably late of course and what a line up. Insidious Fix, Nom.D, Trelise Cooper, Dot.Com, Zambesi, Tanya Carlson, Voon and Tutu. Rebecca Weinberg (stylist from Sex In The City) was right up the front checking out what could possibly grace the stars from the series. (Did you know that if you want to watch Sex In The City over here you have to pay for it!). And according to rumour Nic, sorry Nicole Kidman was coming along also…I didn't see her so maybe she didn't get past the doorman?
This was my first fashion show so I completely over indulged my senses and soaked up the scenery. Where to look…there was so much to take in. I alternated between watching the models and watching the audience watching the models. Only at a fashion show are you going to be surrounded by a concentrated crowd that are so styley dressed! I wonder if other people thought my dishevelled, being out all day look was on purpose? Maybe I have started a new craze and don't even know it?
I caught up with the energetic pair later over a few wines. What next I wanted to know. Their plan is to promote New Zealand's creative outputs overseas. The fashion show was such a hit there will be a follow up auction to it and seasonal debuts to boot. I'll be there! Bridget and Robbie don't just want to stop at fashion though. The grand scheme includes the New Zealand film industry, art, music, writers and everything that is creative and uniquely home-grown to New Zealand. (L&P and Hokey Pokey ice-cream in New York? There's a thought…! (I'm not sure of the success of vegemite though…that seems to be an acquired taste for DownUnder taste buds only).
PS This was Bridget
and Robbie's first attempt at putting on an event like this! Done the
traditional kiwi way…lots of ingenuity, balls and their mates pitching
in! (Imagine what they will achieve with some 'kachingo'!)
(You can also read about what I am up to on www.nzoom.co.nz under entertainment - rant.)
Regards,
romiley
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